Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 19163Making false or misleading declarations of interest · Co. Cork

Former An Bord Pleanála deputy chair Paul Hyde avoids jail on appeal

Paul Hyde, a former deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála appointed in 2019, was charged with nine counts of making false or misleading declarations of interest to the planning authority between 2014 and 2022, after properties he had listed in 2014 were left out of his 2018 declaration. He pleaded guilty to two offences under Section 147 of the Planning and Development Act, and the State withdrew the other seven counts. Judge James McNulty earlier sentenced him in West Cork to two months in jail on each count he pleaded guilty to, to run concurrently. On appeal on 15 November 2023 at Cork Circuit Court, Judge Colin Daly replaced that sentence with a €6,000 fine and two three-month prison sentences suspended in their entirety, so Hyde avoids jail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul Hyde is a former deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála, appointed in 2019.
  • Hyde was earlier given a two-month prison sentence for making false or misleading declarations.
Where
The case concerns declarations made to the planning authority, with the earlier sentence imposed in West Cork and the appeal heard at Cork Circuit Court.
When
The charges cover declarations made between 2014 and 2022.
Cause
Hyde failed to include properties in his 2018 declaration that he had listed in 2014.
Investigation
Detective Sergeant Shane Curtis investigated after stories appeared in the Village magazine and on The Ditch website.
Charges
  • Hyde was charged with nine counts of making false or misleading declarations of interest to the planning authority.
  • Hyde pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to Section 147 of the Planning and Development Act, and the State withdrew the remaining seven counts.
In court
Judge James McNulty earlier sentenced Hyde in West Cork to two months in jail on each count he pleaded guilty to, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Sentence
  • On appeal at Cork Circuit Court, Judge Colin Daly imposed a fine of €6,000.
  • Judge Daly imposed two three-month prison sentences and suspended them in their entirety.
Other details
  • Judge Daly found Hyde's culpability was at the higher end of the range and said he did not gain materially from the breaches.
  • The defence said Hyde was not involved in corruption.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHyde was given a two-month prison sentence earlier in the year for making false or misleading declarations. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeHyde failed to include properties in his 2018 declaration that he had listed in 2014. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Shane Curtis investigated the matter after stories appeared in the Village magazine and on The Ditch website. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHyde was charged with nine counts of making false or misleading declarations of interest to the planning authority between 2014 and 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHyde pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to Section 147 of the Planning and Development Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe State withdrew the remaining seven counts. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge James McNulty earlier sentenced Hyde in West Cork to two months in jail on each count he pleaded guilty to, with the sentences to run concurrently. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceOn appeal at Cork Circuit Court, Judge Colin Daly imposed a fine of €6,000. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Daly imposed two three-month prison sentences and suspended them in their entirety. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherJudge Daly found Hyde's culpability was at the higher end of the range. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherJudge Daly said Hyde did not gain materially from the breaches. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHyde was appointed deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála in 2019. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Nov2023
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Former deputy chair of An Bord Pleanála Paul Hyde avoids jail on appeal

    Reports the Cork Circuit Court appeal outcome: a €6,000 fine and two suspended three-month sentences, replacing the earlier two-month jail term; also gives the charge, plea, withdrawn counts, investigation and mitigation.

    convicted, Paul Hyde, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Hyde